Qamaria Coffee:

This Yemeni Coffee shop can be found just off of highway 880 in Fremont, a great place to have a coffee, catch up with friends, or lock in. Located in midsouth of Fremont, the location is accessible for all Irvington students no matter where they live in Fremont. Qamaria’s menu has various types of coffees, pastries, and refreshers alike. The lattes are on the more expensive side, with an iced qamaria latte costing over $8 including tax. I received my order pretty quick; I found that the latte did have a more of a bitter aftertaste with bits of cinnamon still on the bottom, but this could also just be for this latte specifically. The interior itself is very large with a modern and clean feel. There are also various types of seating available, whether it is regular tables or couches and sofas. Open from 8 a.m. until midnight, this is a great place for a long-term lock-in or to just chill with others. I would rate this shop a 4/5 just because of its steep prices but otherwise it’s an overall great environment. 

7 Leaves

Located in Berryessa, San Jose this cafe may be slightly further for those living north/central Fremont, but for those who live in the Warm Springs area it’s a small 10 minute drive away! The cafe specializes in Vietnamese-style drinks along with regular milk teas, coffees, and macarons. Open from 7 a.m. till 10 p.m., this cafe is a great place to study and do homework. The interior isn’t the largest, but has a decent amount of seating, with most people there also working, creating a good environment overall. My regular order there is an Assam milk tea with honey boba. Their milk tea in general is on the cheaper side, costing around $5.50 without any add-ons. I personally like 7 Leaves as a morning study spot since it is one of the few places you can get boba early in the morning, but also keep in mind that if it’s too early, for example before 9:30 a.m., occasionally the boba will not be ready yet and it may be another 20-minute wait until it is. Their boba isn’t the strongest compared to more established boba chains, but the milk tea itself isn’t too bad. Overall, I would recommend this spot, especially if you’re studying in the morning, and give it a solid 4/5.

Sujus

The cafe that we all know and love, Sujus, is an Irvington student staple. Just a five-minute drive from Irvington, the cafe is an organized chaos. The interior is large and spacious, with tables crammed all throughout the building. If you are there during finals or AP season, it can be hard to find good seats, especially ones with outlets nearby. However, even during regular times, there are always lots of people, whether it’s other high schoolers studying, various book clubs happening in the morning, or people simply catching up. The menu is by far one of the largest, with coffees, smoothies, teas, pastries, sandwiches, and more! Prices are average as well, with most lattes costing a little less than $6. Drinks are pretty average overall, both quality and taste-wise, but Sujus is still one of the few cafes that are easily accessible to students, and have large amounts of seating along with a variety in their menu. I would rate Sujus a solid 4.5/5.

Phin Cafe

Located in north Fremont, practically in Union City, Phin Cafe is a small shop that serves Vietnamese-style coffees and food:pandan coffees and matchas, banh mis, masubis, and more. The interior of the cafe is very small, with only a few tables and chairs available. However, this does give the shop a cozy feel fit for studying and doing work, with decor also being cute but not too distracting. I ordered a Nutella banana coffee for $6.90, which is on the more expensive side (all of their coffees and matchas are the same price without any add-ons). The wait time was a few minutes, and I was pleasantly surprised by the taste of the coffee. I expected it to taste just like a regular mocha, but I could actually taste both the Nutella and the bananas in the coffee. The menu also includes milk teas and refreshing teas as well, which you can add boba or other toppings to. Overall, I would give Phin Cafe a 5/5 despite its small interior, since it’s a nice and cozy location that is great for chilling and doing work. 

Tamper Room Cafe and Gallery:

This cute tucked-away cafe can be found right in Pacific Commons, a common shopping and eating center for students! The interior can be described as very 1980s retro-vintage coded, with many posters spread around the walls, and even a cute shelf section with accessories, stationery, and much more. Note that this cafe is kept very dim to maintain that consistent cozy vibe, but the tables on the side are brightly illuminated and perfect for grinding assignments. As for the food, the prices weren’t too outrageous, landing around the $15-$17 range for a matcha latte and ham and cheese croffle. My first impressions were thatthe matcha latte had a hint of vanilla, which added to its creaminess and texture. The croffle was phenomenal as it packed flavors of smoky ham, melty cheese, paired with the soft buttery croffle. In addition, the server was very friendly and welcoming, and the wait time was ~5 minutes! Definitely a great spot for a quick afternoon snack and last-minute cram session. I would rate this cafe a solid 4.5/5. 

K On the Go:

Located right in the heart of Milpitas, just a few minutes away from Warm Springs, is this beautiful cafe. Starting off with the interior- it was absolutely gorgeous. All around were hanging chandeliers, iridescent lights, and botanicals to add a bit of freshness to the scenery, as well as colorful oil paintings to contribute a touch of life. Although it was a bit small for my liking, the sound of the water fountains on both corners and soft classical music playing in the background was enough for me to study. I ordered a simple banana matcha latte which was pretty good- a little too sweet for my taste, but definitely perfect for those with a sweet tooth! As for the customer service- it was amazing. My server immediately welcomed me in and helped me order, asking if I had any questions. Overall, studying at this mesmerizing spot made me feel as if I was a princess in the 16th century, surrounded by the beauty and magic of royalty. Be sure to pay a visit if you prefer a more elegant study spot! I would rate this cafe a 4/5.

Paris Baguette:

I visited the location on Mission Blvd, in the Warm Springs area. Immediately walking in, I spotted the various selections of cakes, tarts, breads, and many more desserts. The atmosphere was nice and cozy, with The Marias playing in the background. I was able to quickly focus on my work as the entire area was very bright, illuminated by the large windows next to me. While ordering my matcha latte, the server was very bubbly, making small talk with me as I paid. Receiving my matcha latte, it was definitely not the traditional matcha flavor but instead tasted too much like frosting. On the contrary, the strawberry cake slice I ordered was just the right amount of sweetness and tartness; its whipped cream was soft and airy, while the strawberries were sweet with a bit of tanginess to them. The prices were a bit high, ranging from $8-15, but reasonable for the wide selection and excellent flavor! This spot is perfect for anybody who loves sweet treats with a comfy study environment. I would rate this spot an overall 4/5.

Raindrop Cafe:

This hidden little boba and dessert spot is tucked away in the Mission area, so navigating it was definitely a struggle! But putting that aside, its atmosphere was very ethereal and magical, with marble furniture and leather chairs. Chandeliers were hung all around the cafe, adding to that sophisticated touch. In the very back was a large flat screen TV, playing a looped video of Paris. Another quite notable characteristic was that it seemed family-owned, contributing to that familial vibe that I had gotten upon entering. I ordered a regular-sized strawberry mango green tea with boba, a pandan waffle, and chicken-flavored cup noodles (which I was surprised they offered). The drink was much larger than anticipated for the surprisingly low price of $6.50- and it tasted pleasant! As for the waffle, I loved its soft, gooey center and crispy, buttery exterior. You can’t go wrong with cup noodles, so that was tasty as well. I ended up studying pretty efficiently with the available charging ports and warm classical music playing in the background, paired with the sounds of the kitchen. Overall, this place is a must-go if you live in the area and want a light, refreshing snack! I would rate this cafe a 4/5.